Pressure and expectations define college basketball, but few players have ever intensified them the way Cooper Flagg has at Duke. The freshman sensation has stormed onto the scene, averaging 19.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. With numbers like these, he’s not just making an impact—he’s the frontrunner for the Naismith Player of the Year award, a feat only accomplished once before by a Duke freshman.

But with great talent comes even greater pressure, and no one feels that more than Jon Scheyer. Coaching at Duke is already a high-stakes job, but when you have a generational player like Flagg, the weight of expectations multiplies. Scheyer isn’t just tasked with leading a talented team—he’s trying to fill the shoes of the legendary Coach K, who built Duke into a basketball powerhouse with five NCAA championships.

And as if the stakes weren’t high enough, John Fanta of The Field of 68: After Dark podcast believes this season is a defining moment for Scheyer and Duke. He puts it bluntly: ” Cooper Flagg is going to generate the highest amount of buzz television ratings-wise, eyeballs wise because people want to see if the number one pick in the draft with this young Duke head coach with the brand that is Duke, a brand that casual fans love to hate, if they could rise above all and get the championship.” 

For Scheyer and his squad, it’s Final Four or bust. After last season’s heartbreaking Elite 8 loss to NC State, the expectations are clear. But at Duke, just making the Final Four isn’t enough—the program measures success in championships. With a stacked roster, including Kon Knueppel, Tyrese Proctor, and Khaman Maluach, all of whom are projected first-round picks, this is the moment for Scheyer to prove his coaching mettle.

Yet, what if the Duke-Flagg era isn’t over just yet? While many assume Flagg will be the first overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, he’s hinting at the possibility of staying for his sophomore season. Could Duke fans get one more year of The Maine Event? Let’s dive into what Flagg himself has said about his future—and why Blue Devils supporters are daring to dream.

Cooper Flagg wants to come back

Cooper Flagg sent shockwaves through the basketball world this week with a jaw-dropping revelation during an interview with The Athletic. The projected No. 1 overall pick stunned fans and analysts alike, hinting that his time at Duke might not be over just yet.

“I want to come back next year” “I still feel like a kid,” “This is the only way I’ve ever known college. That’s how I see it. I really wouldn’t know how kids felt before, and if this feels different, if this feels more like being a professional. I mean, it’s the same thing for kids in high school, too, getting paid a lot of money. I don’t know. I feel pretty normal.” Flagg told Brendan Quinn and Brendan Marks.

But why would Flagg want to come back? Is it the money? The NIL has definitely made it easier for college athletes to become millionaires! AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 prospect in the 2026 class, just secured a jaw-dropping $7 million NIL deal to play at BYU. So if he decided to stay another year at college, Flagg could very well earn close to that amount or perhaps even more!

However, if Flagg is motivated by money, the NBA remains the better path. As the projected No. 1 overall pick, Flagg would pocket a staggering $12.6 million in his rookie season alone! Duke fans might be having a deja vu moment here as Zion Williamson had also expressed an interest to stay but he decided to enter the draft regardless!

Jon Scheyer has the roster, the talent, and the golden opportunity to bring Duke back their glory. With Cooper Flagg leading the charge, anything short of a championship will feel like a missed opportunity for the Blue Devils!